Schedules expose many pilots to dangerous fatigue, errors

[Brasilia Pup]

Great article for the general public. Be sure to comment, let the FAA and management know that we need change in the current rest regulations.

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/...pilots-to-dangerous-fatigue-errors/47470662/1

 

[RJLoser]

Nothing is going to change.

 

[Brasilia Pup]

Things won't change unless WE make them change. We, the pilots, hold the power in an airline. No pilots = no airline.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

The Air Transport Association, a trade group representing large carriers, says that the steadily declining accident rate demonstrates that its schedules are safe.
Airlines would welcome "scientifically validated and data-driven countermeasures to prevent fatigue," the trade group says.

They have been given it, the correct quote should be "We are burying our heads in the sand hoping that designing and using more automated equipment will hide the problem"

 

[Kaman]

This issue has my blood pressure boiling, however, I don't think we are going to make any headway with the current congress or president to change this for the better. I love how the experts KEEP telling the gov't, industry and unions the same thing over and over and over and over...ad nauseum the same damned thing...Yet, nothing changes, ever...

 

[rod farva]

Nobody gives a rat's hymen about safety or fatigue. It's all about the cheapest fare.

 

[say again]

Nobody gives a rat's hymen about safety or fatigue. It's all about the cheapest fare.

They do when there is an accident.

 

[flyboyzii]

They do when there is an accident.

.......for a whole 15-30 days

 

[Kaman]

As a taxpayer and an airline pilot I am outraged by the FAA's action to fix their internal fatigue problems and would encourage you all to call and write your senators and representative to the house. This single-level of safety in commercial aviation is a fraud.

 

[CX880]

its amazing how the public doesnt seem to care. all those sheep out there uterly clueless that the people in charge of their lives are not properly rested or paid well.

 

[jonjuan]

I hope they do something quick. The commute from FRA-NYC 3x/month is killing me.

 

[ex j-41]

In our FOM it specifically says you cannot say anything to the passengers that would make them think their safety was in question.
So much for me yawning over the PA or mentioning that i have been up for 14hrs after only getting 8hrs reduced rest. (6hrs sleep).
Things i would love to say are so neatly muted by the airline lawyers.

 

[kmox29]

As a taxpayer and an airline pilot I am outraged by the FAA's action to fix their internal fatigue problems and would encourage you all to call and write your senators and representative to the house. This single-level of safety in commercial aviation is a fraud.

Kaman,

Although I agree with you that the rest rules should have been changed LONG ago, comparing the speed at which the controller issue was resolved with that of the line pilot is not apples to apples.

Remember, controllers are employees of the FAA. Therefore, the change was all "in-house" and could be mandated with a stroke of the pen. Line pilots are obviously NOT employed by the FAA and therefore the "process" of issuing a new rule (law) has to be followed.

 

[sunlitpath]

Call in fatigue, call in sick, or do an intensive walk-around. There are ways to slow the rocket ship. You just just have to pull the lever...

 

[bri5150]

Things won't change unless WE make them change. We, the pilots, hold the power in an airline. No pilots = no airline.

Just like no FA's, no airline? And no fry cooks, no McDonalds? While I do agree that we can do something, your logic is a bit off.

 

[Kaman]

Kaman,

Although I agree with you that the rest rules should have been changed LONG ago, comparing the speed at which the controller issue was resolved with that of the line pilot is not apples to apples.

Remember, controllers are employees of the FAA. Therefore, the change was all "in-house" and could be mandated with a stroke of the pen. Line pilots are obviously NOT employed by the FAA and therefore the "process" of issuing a new rule (law) has to be followed.[/QUOTE
I completely agree with you, and my point is that the government can print money to pay their salaries, modify schedules, change training and hiring/screening policies in a whim. Whereas, we in the industry, the end-user are subject to another government mandated study of pilot fatigue. It is an absolute joke and really cements in my mind that our Federal government is corrupt and running amok.

 

[cynic]

Cheese with your wine?

You guys all knew what the job was like before you took it; a bit late to complain now and there is somebody in line for your place if you want to quit!

 

[say again]

Cheese with your wine?

You guys all knew what the job was like before you took it; a bit late to complain now and there is somebody in line for your place if you want to quit!

Yeah, there's the answer to fixing the issues with the industry, just get up and quit. You obviously don't get it. Why is to late to fix the rest rules in the industry? Just because they were here when I started doesn't mean that they don't need changing.

 

[no1pilot2000]

What can pilots do to change the rest/fatigue issues that face them in the industry right now?

 

[JoeMerchant]

Kaman,

Although I agree with you that the rest rules should have been changed LONG ago, comparing the speed at which the controller issue was resolved with that of the line pilot is not apples to apples.

Remember, controllers are employees of the FAA. Therefore, the change was all "in-house" and could be mandated with a stroke of the pen. Line pilots are obviously NOT employed by the FAA and therefore the "process" of issuing a new rule (law) has to be followed.[/QUOTE
I completely agree with you, and my point is that the government can print money to pay their salaries, modify schedules, change training and hiring/screening policies in a whim. Whereas, we in the industry, the end-user are subject to another government mandated study of pilot fatigue. It is an absolute joke and really cements in my mind that our Federal government is corrupt and running amok.

The FAA rule was changed from 8 hours to 9 hours of scheduled rest...and that isn't "behind the door"...Somehow I don't think that would make most of those complaining happy....Essentially doing away with the 8 hour RR rule would bring us in line..

Of course ours is duty out to duty in and I don't think there's counts that time....